Instrument Night

Welcome!!

Good afternoon,

I cannot tell you how excited that I am to begin this year. I am not sure how, but I somehow got the best students in the school placed in band! All jokes aside, your students have been fantastic so far. I am looking forward to growing with them this year.

A few reminders:

Instrument Night

We have two instrument nights. 5th grade has theirs on August 16th from 5-8pm. 6th grade has theirs on August 17th from 5-8pm. Both instrument nights will be located in the gym/band room (the two rooms are combined). You may show up at ANYTIME between those times listed above. We ask that you aim for 5, 6, or 7 because we will host an informational meeting to answer your questions at that time. After that meeting we will send you in the band room to speak to a Music and Arts representative to sign up for your instrument. They will speak to  you about renting or purchasing. I do not have the prices at the moment for the instruments since they change every year depending on the market but we choose to stay with Music and Arts because they provide quality instruments with the lowest prices around. This is only the night where the instrument are ordered, they will be delivered on our Start Up Day. If you cannot make a day at all then please let me know and we can have you all come on the other day. 

Saturday Jump Start Camp

As stated in the form sent home, this will be a great new tradition this year. Students will come on August the 20th from 9AM-12PM (three hours) to receive their instrument, learn how to put it together, and how to play it! We have hired professionals to come in on that day to teach them how to do these things. It is required for all students but if there is a prior commitment please contact me as soon as possible.

After School Commitments:

We have no after school activities all year except for the following:

Instrument nights on August 16th and 17th

Saturday Jump Start Camp on August 20th

Our two concerts. One at the beginning of December and one in May. Those dates are being finalized this week.

I ask that for these few dates that you make it a priority for the students to be at these events. I pride myself on keeping my class during the school day and letting your students do other activities throughout the school year. Playing sports and being in clubs is just as important as band.

Ask me any questions that you have.

-Ms. Menendez

 

New Announcements

Good morning,

The response to our website has been great so far! Thank you for all of the comments and questions so far.

Below are a few important announcements:

  1. Band Binders: Both Ms. Menendez and Mr. Huls decided to use a binder this year to hold music instead of a paper folder like we have used in the past. The folders were not as durable as we had hoped and caused many students to lose their music throughout the school year. In the handbook I requested a 1 inch black binder with sheet protectors inside of it. On Monday, Mr. Huls and I realized that 1 inch binders are too large for our music storage cabinets in the band room at the Middle and Junior High school. We are asking that you purchase a 1/2 inch black binder for your students instead of the 1 inch binder. This reduction in size will not only weigh less but it will ensure that all 120+ members can store their band binders in a organized location in our band rooms. I apologize for the confusion and will update the handbook to reflect this change.
  2. Band Fees: The band fees for the year are $30 for 6th grade members and $15 for 5th grade band members. If you have multiple students in our program or in another Carrollton band program you may email me directly for clarification on the amount that you owe. *Cash or checks are accepted. Please make the checks written out to “CMS Band”.*
  3. 6th Grade parents: We will begin testing our students one-by-one for their instruments in class today. This process will continue until our Instrument Nights. The first 6th grade connection class will attend the August 31st instrument night to rent/purchase their instrument, equipment and band books. The second 6th grade connection class will attend the September 2nd instrument night. These will run from 5-8pm on both nights. More information will be sent home in the new few weeks on options for obtaining an instrument for your student.

The behavior and work ethic of your students has been fantastic so far this year. I look forward to teaching your students daily and making music with them. Please do not hesitate to contact me through email with any questions.

Sincerely,

Ms. Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net